Self-sealing toy balloon



Jan. 20, 1953 J. STEEN ETAL 2,625,770

SELF-SEALING TOY BALLOON Filed Jan. 21, 1948 INVENTORS. tjmes Sieerz Ida/47] PC0826} Patented Jan. 20, 1953 1 .II 2,625,770 i a 1 L,

SELF-SEALING TOY BALLOON James Steen and Edward P. Coskey, Detroit, Mich.

Application January 21, 1948. Serial No. 3,608

2 Claims.

This invention relates to balloons, and particularly to a pair of balloons disposed one inside the other and so arranged that the inner balloon forms a valve for the outer balloon when inflated.

One object of the invention is to arrange two balloons, one inside the other, with the necks joined in sealed relation and with minute passageways in the inner balloon for the escape of air therefrom into the outer balloon.

A further object of the invention is to so secure one balloon to another disposed therewith at the neck opening to cause both balloons to be inflated simultaneously and the air within the inner balloon to pass through apertures therein into the outer balloon when the neck is held closed to prevent the air in the inner balloon from escaping until the outer balloon is filled.

A still further object of the invention is to arrange a pair of balloons one inside the other, joined at the neck opening and provided with an opening through a reinforced area of the inner balloon which, when stretched, will permit the passage of air from the inner balloon into the outer balloon until the pressure is equalized to seal the opening.

Other objects and features of novelty of the invention will be specifically pointed out or will become apparent when referring, for a better understanding of the invention, to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a balloon embodying features of this invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1 taken through the line 2--2 thereof with both balloons in extended position;

Fig. 3 is a broken view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 2 after the inner balloon is collapsed;

Fig. 4 is a broken view of the inner balloon illustrated in Fig. 3, showing a modified form thereof, and

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 4, as viewed from line 5-5 thereof.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a balloon of the present invention is illustrated embodying an outer balloon I0, an inner balloon II, with the neck [2 of the balloon I0 joined to the neck 13 of the balloon H at the outermost end thereof, as at M. Both balloons are made of thin elastic material such as that commonly employed in toy balloons, with the inner balloon I I having a plurality of minute openings IS in the portion thereof which is not subject to a great degree of stretch, such as in the neck portion [3.

When the balloon is inflated, the air is blown through the neck l3 of the inner balloon H to cause it to expand and the air therein to escape through the expanded openings [5 of the neck l3 into the interior of the balloon ill. The inflation is continued until the balloon 10 reaches a desired size, after which the neck of the balloon I2 is held sealed in some manner, such as by the thumb and finger of the hand, as herein illustrated. The air within the balloon H and the balloon 10 would be at the same pressure except for the tension provided in the stretched material of the balloon II which causes the air to pass through the openings l5 into the interior of the balloon ID. This will continue until all of the tension is released in the material of the balloon ll. At that time, the minute holes l5 are closed and the further sealing of the neck 12 is produced by the inner balloon being forced thereinto by the air in the outer balloon ID. This is illustrated in Fig. 3.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, a further form of invention is illustrated, that wherein the inner balloon II has a reinforced area I6 containing one or a plurality of small apertures I! which permit flow of air from the inner balloon ll into the outer balloon [0 when the balloons are inflated and during the time tension is maintained in the material of the inner balloon ll while stretched. The reinforced area I6 prevents the material from tearing due to the presence of the aperture I! when the material is stretched. By regulating the size of the openings I5 and H, the balloon I!) may be retained inflated for a considerable period of time, or for a short time only. When the outer balloon is completely sealed, it may be deflated by using the eraser end of a pencil, or a like implement, which is inserted within the balloon H to open the apertures IE or IT and permit the air to flow from the balloon l0 therethrough.

What is claimed is:

l. A balloon having a neck through which it is normally inflated, a second balloon within the first balloon also provided with a neck which is sealed to the neck of the outer balloon at the outer end throughout the circumference thereof, the neck of said inner balloon having minute apertures through which air may pass into the outer balloon when the inner balloon is inflated.

2. The combination with a balloon having a neck and a body, of a second balloon disposed within said first balloon and also having a neck 3 and a body, said balloons being united in sealed REFERENCES CITED relation near the mouth of the necks throughout The following references are of record in the the circumference thereof, the neck of said inner file of this atent: balloon having minute apertures therethrough p through which gas from said inner balloon when 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS inflated passes into said outer balloon, said aper- Number Name Date tures being closed by the contraction of the neck 2,505,526 Costea Apr. 25, 1950 when the second balloon becomes deflated and sealed when the neck is forced against the neck FOREIGN PATENTS of the outer balloon by the pressure of gas therein. 10 Number Country Date JAMES STEEN. 571,438 France May 16, 1924 EDWARD P. COSKEY, 441,203 Germany Feb. 28, 1927 

